Routing problems in ProTools

[luffe]

Hi.

Recently I brought up a thread about using a Roland VS-880 EX as an outboard effects processor with Protools Digi 003 factory.

Here's what I've done so far. Hardware connections: Protools output 8 to Roland input 1. Roland master out L/R to Protools AUX in L/R.

In Protools I've recorded a vocal track setting output=1-2 stereo and a send on bus 3-4. I've also set up an aux stereo track with an input on bus 3-4, a send to interface 8 and output=1-2 stereo.

Now, the signal from Protools to the VS 880 works fine. To check that out I connected the master out L/R from the VS 880 to my speakers and the vocal track comes out with reverb on it. But in ProTools I get no reverb on the vocal track.

I'm stucked in the routing here, and can't figure out how to set this up in Protools. Some input would be of GREAT help.

Best regards,

luffe

[albee1952]

To use the Aux in as recording inputs into protools, you need to hit the
Aux in- 7,8 button and choose inputs 7&8 on a stereo track in your session. If you have open inputs, it might be easier to just use a different set of inputs for returning the VS880

[luffe]

Thanks Albee.

Well, I have two open inputs, so you might be right.

Maybe I don't understand this, but if I want to use the output jacks named "AUX in L/R" on the back of the Digi 003 factory, how can I
identify them in ProTools?

Best regards,

luffe

[audiogeekzine]

Those are Input jacks

There is a button on the front that routes those to analog inputs 7-8

[luffe]

Thank you, audiogeekzine. Yes, you are of course right about the input jacks - that was just a mistyping.

When I monitor only the aux track (which receives from the VS 880) by hitting the AUX button on the console, it sounds correct. But when I hit that console button aux>7/8, which I wasn't aware of, someting funny happens. The reverb from the VS 880 comes through now, but the vocal track sounds like being doubled.

Any clues what can be wrong??? I feel I am much closer now, but obviously there is still one minor problem to be solved.

I haven't changed any of the cable connection. On the vocal track I have a send to interface 7-8 and on the aux track I receive on analog 7-8.

Best regards,

luffe

[audiogeekzine]

Originally Posted by luffe

The reverb from the VS 880 comes through now, but the vocal track sounds like being doubled.

Any clues what can be wrong??? I feel I am much closer now, but obviously there is still one minor problem to be solved.

I haven't changed any of the cable connection. On the vocal track I have a send to interface 7-8 and on the aux track I receive on analog 7-8.

Turn the dry signal off in the effect. Wet/dry ratio should be 100% wet

[luffe]

Thanks audiogeekzine.

Well, I am a total newbie to this stuff and with the risk of
sounding quite stupid I have to ask what you mean by turn the dry
signal off in the effect. How do I do that......

Best regards,

luffe

P.S. The reverb on the VS 880 is set to max. 127

[thefridge]

Perhaps a latency issue? cheers!

[luffe]

Nah, thefridge......I've found the problem, I think. The output on the vocal track has been set to Analog 1-2 so actually I hear the vocal track from both the vocal track and the aux track, which is also set to output Analog 1-2. So I just changed the vocal track to no output, which seems to have solved the problem. Does that make sense?

But I get a lot of clipping from the aux track. Maybe I just need some more adjusting......

Best regards,

luffe

[pennard]

Luffe,
With the effect thing first:
Let us say you put a reverb plugin on an ordinary audio track (the one with the wave sign). The signal, lets say a vocal, comes in at the top of that audio track ( in mixer view). A reverb is put on THAT track and opened up.
There is a control on all reverbs usually called MIX or sometimes two controls WET and DRY. The dry signal is the vocal sound coming in.
At 100% WET the vocal gets the full reverb and NO original sound.
At 50% the vocal is half a reverb sound plus half the original sound.
At 30% the vocal has almost a third reverb and the rest dry, this is a setting that is going to sound about right (give or take a bit) on this audio track.

Now because that reverb is using resources, in the above scenario it is OK, but, if we want to put 6 vocal tracks all with reverb then we will use a lot of resources. So we use an AUX track..

With an AUX track, we want that reverb (or most effects) to be 100% wet.
So we take out the reverb in the audio track and replace it by doing a send to an AUX track.
The aux send fader set at 0db will send the full signal to the AUX track. Now using the main fader on the AUX track in effect ( no pun) controls the reverb mix (or how much of the 100% mix is return to the MAINOUTS).

This is the same thing that you are trying to do with the VS880 albeit going out of PT. I do the same thing with a Lexicon reverb unit but I use the SPDIF in/out.

NOTE: Going out to the external unit and back does create latency. You can test this by making the reverb mix 0% DRY and with the latency you will hear two vocals doubling up. Send a click or clap noise and it will be really obvious.

ALSO: Remember do not confuse AUX inputs on the 003 with AUX stuff in PT. They are completely different. AUX in PT are bus tracks and the AUX on the 003 are used to AUX out = allows different monitoring and AUX in = where you can input a CD player etc.

If you have spare I/O on the 003 set it up as an INSERT where the input and output use the same numbered ports. So in analog 7/8 in - out or SPDIF which I believe the VS880 has. Somewhere in my bat cave I have a VS880ex with two FX cards must give it a try.